If your gums are still sore or swollen after a tooth extraction, you can use ice packs to relieve the discomfort. It is recommended to use a medical ice pack for icing, or if you do not have a medical ice pack, you can use your own frozen ice cubes. It is not recommended to apply ice or ice packs directly to the face, as it may frostbite the muscles as well as the skin. You can use a dry towel to wrap the ice or ice pack and put it on the side of your cheek where the tooth was extracted, leave it for about 10-15 seconds to remove the ice pack, and then apply it for a second time after a few minutes. If the ice pack is more effective, you can do it more than once a day.